Editing the central murder in "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story"

The murder is depicted with brutality, showcasing the moment when Lyle leaves mid-shooting to reload & finish the act.

Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story delivers a haunting portrayal of the real-life murder of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Lyle and Erik. Editor Peggy Tachdjian played a crucial role in capturing the gravity of the central crime scene, a task that director Ryan Murphy emphasized as pivotal to setting the tone for the entire season.

In the opening episode, the murder is depicted with stark brutality, showcasing the chilling moment when Lyle leaves mid-shooting to reload before returning to finish the act. Tachdjian highlighted that everything in the crime scene — from the blood spatter to the ice cream bowls and the eerie massage table — was recreated based on real-life crime scene photos. "It was important to portray that specific moment as accurately as possible," she told IndieWire, adding that the scene was meticulously storyboarded and rehearsed to match the horrific reality.

Chloë Sevigny, portraying Kitty Menendez, delivered an emotionally charged performance that left a lasting impression on Tachdjian, who admitted she was moved every time she watched the raw footage. “You actually felt like she was getting hurt, struggling for her life,” she said.

The episode struck a delicate balance between horror and dark humor, reflecting the surreal nature of the Menendez family's wealth and entitlement. Director Carl Franklin asked Tachdjian to lean into the humor by embracing awkward moments, like the decision to include the real-life Milli Vanilli song, "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You," during the funeral scene. The song choice, absurd but factual, added an uncomfortable layer to the episode, which Tachdjian enhanced by elongating pauses to highlight the mourners’ awkwardness.

This careful blending of tones underscores the complexity of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a drama that doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truth of one of America's most notorious crimes.